A telecommunications provider is only as good as the infrastructure that supports it. There is an outfit in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida that backs up some of the best.
Dycom Industries (NYSE: DY) is a North American contractor, specializing in infrastructure support for the telecommunications industry. The firm designs, builds and maintains cable systems for local and long-distance phone companies and cable TV operators. It also provides wiring services to corporate and government clients and conducts underground utility location surveys. AT&T (NYSE: T), Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) account for about two-thirds of sales.
The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 35 cents and revenues of $317.3 million. Analysts had been expecting 32 cents and $308.2 million. Management also guided Q1 EPS to 31-37 cents (33 cent consensus) and Q1 revenues to $310-330 million ($311.90M consensus). Management saw clear evidence of improving organic revenue growth and operating margin expansion in Q4 and expected the trend to continue in the intermediate term.
The stock popped through 30-day, 50-day and 90-day moving average resistance on the news and has since been forming a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Equities frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.
Brokers recommend the issue with two "strong buys" and three "holds". The DY Price to Sales ratio (1.06), Price to Book ratio (2.70), Price to Cash Flow ratio (11.96), Sales Growth rate (25.32%) and EPS Growth rate (40.00%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages.
Institutional investors hold about 95% of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&P 400 MidCap Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $19.85 and $32.18. A stop-loss of $25.50 looks good here.
Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.
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